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Best Times to Visit Destin
The best time to visit Destin is in April and May when the water is warm, the sun is shining and the temperatures are comfortable (expect highs in the mid-70s and 80s). If you visit any earlier, you risk cooler weather and chilly water. A summer trip will put you among the crowds and the peak prices. Although you might consider late summer and early fall, the temperatures can be sweltering and accompanied by rain. Average highs reach the high 80s in summer, while winter temps fluctuate between the low 40s and 60s. Some travelers do visit in the winter offseason when rates drop, but they miss out on the area's top activities.
Weather in Destin
Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center
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| April-May |
This short shoulder season is the best time to capitalize on the low hotel rates left over from winter and to enjoy great weather. The water temperature will be in the 70s by April and continue to rise through May. You can expect the daytime temperature to hover around the mid-70s to 80s. Key Events:
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| June-August |
Peak season puts Destin on full display. The beaches will be lined with people, the restaurants will be serving up fresh seafood and the sun will be smiling down nearly the entire time. Unfortunately, hotels recognize the phenomenal environment and hike up the hotel rates. Key Events: |
| September-November |
Early fall offers some ideal temperatures (highs in the 70s to 80s, lows in the 40s to 60s); however, rain also reaches the coast during September and October thanks to the North Atlantic hurricane season. November sees the end of the wet season but also a steep temperature drop (60s become the high). If you find a reasonable hotel deal, it might be worth taking a chance on this time of year. Key Events:
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| December-March |
Temperatures in the low winter season (average highs in the low 60s and lows in the 40s) squash vacationers' hopes of enjoying the beach. For this reason, hotels and resorts offer enticing bargains. If you don't mind golfing in a sweater, this might be the perfect time for you. Key Events:
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Popular Times to Visit Destin
Tourism volume is estimated based on in-market destination search query interest from Google and on travel.usnews.com in 2015-2016. Hotel prices are sourced from a sample of U.S. News Best Hotels rates through 2015-2016.
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